Sidelight bulbs with Xenons

[Perplexer]

I have a 2002 S3 with Xenons and decided to replace the sidelight bulbs as they looked very poor (yellow) next to the Xenons.

Looking online I purchased some Ultimate II LED's from Ultra LED's (The Ultimate II 501/T10/194 1 x 1 Watt Ultra Xenon White by Ultra Leds U.Khttp://www.ultraleds.co.uk/501194t10-mini-light-tower-leds-xenon-white-bulb-p-1545.html) which when installed look great and match the headlights.

The only problem is they seem to interfere with the failed bulb detection system in the car and at random display the bulb failed warning on the DIS (mostly when I press the brake pedal).

Now the highest wattage I can find for a sidelight is 5W. Is this right? Is there a standard bulb that is brighter than normal to match up to or close to the Xenon without going LED?

If I have to go LED what ones don't interfere with the bulb failure system?

Cheers

 

[s3dave]

these seem to work ok and dont throw the dis
2 X T10 PARKING SIDE LIGHT WEDGE XENON LED BULBS WHITE on eBay (end time 22-Feb-11 10:06:09 GMT)

 

[aragorn]

Are you sure the system actually senses front sidelights?

B5 A4 only senses front dip beam, and rear tail and brake lights...

Could be a slightly dodgy brake bulb if it only happens when you brake?

 

[Perplexer]

Are you sure the system actually senses front sidelights?

B5 A4 only senses front dip beam, and rear tail and brake lights...

Could be a slightly dodgy brake bulb if it only happens when you brake?

I have changed every bulb in the rear of the car except for the number plate lights. It still displays the warning.

 

[Perplexer]

these seem to work ok and dont throw the dis
2 X T10 PARKING SIDE LIGHT WEDGE XENON LED BULBS WHITE on eBay (end time 22-Feb-11 10:06:09 GMT)

Are these the same/similar to these: The Ultimate II 501/T10/194 1 x 1 Watt Ultra Xenon White by Ultra Leds U.K - as these are what I have. Is T10 the size?

The strange thing about this is that the warnings happen when the lights are off.

 

[aragorn]

Then its nothing to do with the led's

Fit some new Brake bulbs.

 

[s3dave]

I think aragorn is correct, about the front side lights not connected to the bulb failure warning

 

[Perplexer]

Thanks for the responses.

I have changed the bulbs. Same issue (bulb holder maybe or a dodgy new bulb?). I only get this when the LED's are installed. If I fit standard bulbs I do not see the warning.

 

[aragorn]

If its happening with the lights off, its nothing to do with the LED's, unless you've fitted LED brake lights.

The load monitoring box sits between the light switch and the lights themselves, if the lights are off, the box isnt doing anything.

The symbol that appears on the DIS is different for brake lights and other lights. Which symbol are you getting? Brake light warning has curved brackets around the bulb as well as it X, whereas tail/headlights etc just shows a bulb with an X

I'd try another set of brake bulbs, if it keeps happening then check the holders making good contact.

 

[The Doctor]

I had a front sidelight bulb go recently and no warning came up on the dash (2003 S3). So I can only assume that the sidelights don't trigger the display warning. Replaced the standard bulbs with LEDs and the display is fine.

 

[Nilz]

Sidelights dont trigger the dash display, only mains, brake and indicators.

Just had mine replaced with LED ones and they seem ok.

 

[s3dave]

I think it has to be said these led lights have a very poor life, i am on my second set and one as gone already......got them from 2 different suppliers too

 

[aragorn]

Rear tail lights trigger a warning, but not the fronts.

I wonder why the LED's are so poor?

LED's themselves are extremely hardy (consider that your dashboard and dials are lit by LED's and they're still working perfectly 10+ years later)

I can only imagine either the actual LED's they're using are second or third grade units from proper **** manufacturers, or they're failing due to bad soldering or similar?

 

[LiveWire]

I have the exact same sidelights and have no problems with warning lights.

Did you make sure you didnt push them to far in because it says not to push to far in because the metal outer body of the LED surround will touch the conector for the wiring (bit you push the bulb into) and it will cause a short.

And they give a 1 year warrenty on them so they cant be that bad!!!

 

[Perplexer]

Thanks.

The warning is an X in a circle. It is such a wierd and none predictive fault.

 

[Perplexer]

Yeah I have checked and double checked

To be honest I have become an expert at getting these bulbs in and out of the holder without ripping my hands to shreads or moving the battery!

 

[s3dave]

you need to be looking at the rear clusters for that warning, dodgy brake bulb

 

[Perplexer]

Will do - thanks.

 

[aragorn]

This shows you the difference:

 

[LiveWire]

Yeah I have checked and double checked

To be honest I have become an expert at getting these bulbs in and out of the holder without ripping my hands to shreads or moving the battery!

lol I know what you mean!! I had one (LED bulb) fall inside of the light cluster!! was a nightmare to get back out, had to remove the main beam bulb and dangle a magnetic extension bar (having to bend it) to get it back out!! pi**ed me right off.

 

[dany2k]

right mate, have you tried hooking it up to vagcom. there's an outside shot you changing you sidelights could have coincided with the common brake pedal switch problem: would probably explain why it only happens when you press your brakes. TPS do the part for £15ish.

 

[Perplexer]

lol that must have been a nightmare to get out!

 

[Perplexer]

right mate, have you tried hooking it up to vagcom. there's an outside shot you changing you sidelights could have coincided with the common brake pedal switch problem: would probably explain why it only happens when you press your brakes. TPS do the part for £15ish.

That is an interesting thought - thanks. I only have the 'cheap' version of VAGCOM so can't make any changes, but should I still be able to see the fault? What would VAGCOM report it as?

 

[Perplexer]

This shows you the difference:

I am sure its the one on the bottom-left. Thanks for the diagram.

 

[dany2k]

hi mate,
something similar to this (code may be slightly different):

16955 - Brake Switch (F): Implausible Signal
P0571 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent
Readiness: 0000 0000

you'll be able to see the fault if you scan the brake components individually: you won't be able to do the full scan with the shareware version. it's a simple enough fix, don't worry!

 

[Perplexer]

hi mate,
something similar to this (code may be slightly different):

16955 - Brake Switch (F): Implausible Signal
P0571 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent
Readiness: 0000 0000

you'll be able to see the fault if you scan the brake components individually: you won't be able to do the full scan with the shareware version. it's a simple enough fix, don't worry!

I will have a look this weekend - cheers

 

[sweeney23]

you need canbus bulbs dude

 

[Nilz]

In typical ****** fashion, one of my LED side lights has gone already, only been in for 6 days!!!!

 

[Perplexer]

In typical ****** fashion, one of my LED side lights has gone already, only been in for 6 days!!!!

When I first had mine fitted one died after 2 months.

 

[Perplexer]

you need canbus bulbs dude

Like this?